The Royal Academy of Management successfully concluded the inaugural Master in Leadership and Management programme, preparing its first cohort with both scientific knowledge and practical skills. This programme was specifically designed to equip emerging leaders with the ability to innovate and thrive in a digital innovation-driven economy. Utilising a blended network learning approach, the participants, who are section and department heads, and their equivalents in the state’s administrative apparatus, have successfully graduated after completing their third and final residency at the Thunderbird College of Global Management at Arizona State University in the United States of America.
The programme was developed in collaboration with the prestigious Thunderbird School of Global Management, renowned for its excellence in teaching leadership and modern executive management. The college’s Master of Global Management programme is ranked first globally in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education newspaper ranking and it is endorsed as a recommended university for study by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation.
The Master in Leadership and Management programme provided participants with a unique opportunity to explore international perspectives in leadership, management, innovation, strategies, public policy analysis, and agile government. Its diverse implementation methods added richness and effectiveness to the programme. In addition to the academic depth provided by the university, the Royal Academy of Management was committed to integrating supplementary components to create a comprehensive programme. This approach combined scholarly insights with cognitive growth, fostering leadership proficiency, adept management of change processes, and nurturing innovative thinking methodologies.
The third residency of the Master in Leadership and Management programme was held at Arizona State University and included impactful presentations by a diverse group of speakers. Key topics focused on the economic landscape and explored dynamic partnerships between public and private sectors, emphasising their pivotal role in driving innovation and technological advancement. The discussions included real-world cases and examples, providing insightful perspectives drawn from practical experiences.
The sessions explored essential subjects including economic success, contemporary manufacturing methodologies, and their significance in the integration of public and private endeavours. Discussions also focused on strategies to revitalise the economy, attracting tech industry giants for investment, and an exploration of a project leveraging modern technology for global impact. Additionally, participants gained insights into communication applications designed to enhance people’s lives.
Furthermore, the sessions emphasised the adoption of smart technologies as a catalyst for urban expansion and economic advancement. There was a focus on collaborative initiatives between the public and private sectors, showcasing technological advancements and innovative endeavours aimed at shaping more adaptable and sustainable economic growth.
The learning journey also featured field visits to various institutions in the United States of America, providing participants with insights into the direct impact of innovative strategies in diverse areas such as healthcare, climate adaptation, and other social and economic fields.
During the concluding phase of the Master in Leadership and Management programme’s third residency, participants collaborated on group projects focused on digital transformation. These endeavours resulted in the generation of innovative ideas tailored to meet the demands of the evolving economy. The projects covered various sectors within the Sultanate of Oman, including fostering the growth of creative cultural industries, the government’s digital transformation programme, enhancing the self-employment sector, establishing a social health insurance programme, and refining both internal and external communication strategies within the ‘Invest in Oman Hall’.
The Royal Academy of Management launched the Master in Leadership and Management programme in September of last year, targeting twenty-five participants from department heads and similar positions in units of the state’s administrative apparatus. The programme aimed to prepare executive leaders to contribute to building an effective and innovative administrative apparatus and was implemented over a twelve-month period.